US Is Turkey's Biggest Defence Equipment Importer

The United States is Turkey's biggest defence equipment importer with export figures souring to $353 million during the first five months of 2019, according to data from the Turkish Exporters’ Assembly (TİM).

Ankara's aviation and defense industry export revenue stood at $1 billion, up by 37 percent from last year's $784 million during the same period, reported Anadolu Agency citing TİM data.

Qatar's import of Turkish defence hardware was $123 million, a steep increase of 1300 percent. Another country with big boost in imports from Ankara was United Arab Emirates (UAE) with 1,800 percent increase to buy $63.5 million worth equipment.

Exports to Germany was $108 million and Netherlands was $33.7 million, marking an increase of 6.6 percent and 1.39 percent respectively.

Shipments to Oman rose by 40 percent, reaching $101 million. Exports to the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia increased by 16.7 percent and 193 percent, respectively, to $27.6 million and 21.4 million.

Data also showed that Azerbaijan purchased $19.2 million worth of goods from local defense companies in January-May, a 19.3 percent increase from a year ago.

However, exports of defense and related equipment to India declined 12.5 percent to $30.3 million.

In January-May, Turkey’s overall exports rose by 5.37 percent to hit $76.6 billion. In May alone, the country’s exports hit the highest-ever monthly figure with $16.8 billion.

The foreign trade deficit stood at $10.5 billion in the first five months of 2019 versus a $36 billion deficit in January-May last year.